Bhagalpur Air Quality Index (AQI) & Air Pollution Today
Bihar, India — Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) and PM2.5
Bhagalpur AQI Right Now
Category: Moderate
Dominant Pollutant: pm10
PM2.5: 59.6 µg/m³
PM10: 137.41 µg/m³
Last updated: 2026-03-24 — Data source: Google Air Quality API (NAQI). Live NAQI values load when you visit the page.
Bhagalpur Pollutant Levels
| Pollutant | Concentration |
|---|---|
| PM2.5 | 59.6 µg/m³ |
| PM10 | 137.41 µg/m³ |
| O₃ (Ozone) | 7.99 µg/m³ |
| NO₂ | 10.8 µg/m³ |
| SO₂ | 10.11 µg/m³ |
| CO | 195.05 µg/m³ |
Health Advisory — Bhagalpur
Moderate: Breathing discomfort to people with lungs, asthma and heart diseases.
Health Impact — Bhagalpur
Cigarette Equivalent: Breathing this air is equivalent to smoking 2.7 cigarettes per day (based on current PM2.5 levels).
Life Expectancy Impact: Sustained exposure at this PM2.5 level could reduce life expectancy by 0.32 years (AQLI estimate, relative to WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³).
Health Recommendations for Bhagalpur
- General Population: People with respiratory or heart conditions should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
- Elderly: Reduce prolonged outdoor activities.
- Children: Reduce prolonged outdoor play.
- Lung Disease Patients: Avoid prolonged outdoor exertion.
Understanding Bhagalpur Air Quality
Bhagalpur, India's celebrated Silk City on the banks of the Ganga, is where centuries-old Bhagalpur silk weaving and tussar silk processing create a unique pollution profile. Fine fibre dust from thousands of handlooms and silk reeling units permeates the air in weaving quarters, contributing to occupational respiratory hazards alongside general urban air pollution. The city also serves as a gateway to the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary, where the Ganga's health directly mirrors the city's environmental management.
Winter months (November–February) bring severe air quality deterioration as the flat Gangetic floodplain traps emissions under temperature inversions. Dense fog - intensified by the river's moisture - reduces visibility to near-zero on many December and January mornings while simultaneously trapping PM2.5 from brick kilns ringing the city, domestic biomass burning (wood and dung cakes used for heating), and vehicular exhaust. Agricultural burning from surrounding rice paddies after the kharif harvest adds regional haze.
The monsoon (June–September) brings substantial relief as heavy rainfall cleanses the atmosphere, though the Ganga's flooding can temporarily disrupt waste management and expose decomposing organic matter. Pre-monsoon heat (April–May) sees elevated dust from dry river banks and unpaved roads, but overall AQI remains better than the severe winter months.
Primary Pollution Sources
- Vehicle exhaust
- Silk industry emissions
- Road dust
- Brick kilns
- Domestic biomass burning
- Agricultural burning
Geography: Ganga River bank in eastern Bihar; India's Silk City (Bhagalpur silk/tussar), flat Gangetic terrain, high humidity
Peak pollution months: November, December, January, February
Frequently Asked Questions — Bhagalpur
How does the silk industry affect Bhagalpur's air quality?
Bhagalpur's silk weaving and tussar processing industry generates fine fibre dust from handlooms and reeling units. While this is primarily an occupational hazard in weaving quarters, the cumulative effect of thousands of units spread across the city contributes to localized PM10 elevation, particularly in densely built areas where ventilation is poor.
Why is winter air quality in Bhagalpur so poor?
Bhagalpur's location on the flat Gangetic floodplain means winter temperature inversions trap pollutants close to the ground. The Ganga's moisture intensifies fog formation, creating stationary conditions where emissions from brick kilns, biomass burning, and vehicles accumulate for days. PM2.5 readings frequently exceed 200 µg/m³ during December and January.
Air Quality in Nearby Cities
- Banka AQI — Bihar
- Munger AQI — Bihar
- Khagaria AQI — Bihar
- Katihar AQI — Bihar
- Purnia AQI — Bihar
- Madhepura AQI — Bihar